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Chicken

katsu

Lighter chicken katsu

For the chicken, pour the buttermilk into a wide, shallow dish. Season with pepper and a small pinch of salt. Pat the chicken breasts dry with kitchen paper, then put them in the dish and turn them over in the buttermilk to coat well. Leave in the fridge for 1 hr. Meanwhile, heat a large, non-stick frying pan. Tip in the panko breadcrumbs and flour, and toast in the dry pan for 2-3 mins until they turn pale brown, stirring regularly so they don’t burn. Tip the crumb mix into a bowl, season with pepper and set aside to cool. To make the curry sauce, heat the oil in a medium saucepan. Tip in the onion, garlic and ginger, and fry for 6-8 mins until the onion is tender and starting to brown. Stir in the garam masala, turmeric, chilli powder and tomato purée, and fry for 1 min, stirring to scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pan. Pour in the stock and 250ml/9fl oz water. Add the carrot, soy sauce and honey, bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently for about 20 mins, uncovered, until the carrots are tender. Mix the cornflour with 2 tsp cold water, stir into the sauce and simmer for 1 min. Remove from the heat. Whizz the mixture to a smooth purée in a food processor. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve, set over a large bowl, pressing it through well with the back of a wooden spoon so enough of the purée goes through to help thicken. Season with a small pinch of salt and set aside. Sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead and chilled. Heat oven to 230C/210C fan/gas 8. Line a baking tray with foil and sit a wire rack (preferably non-stick) on top. Tip the crumb mix onto a large plate, then lift the chicken breasts from the buttermilk (leaving the marinade clinging to it) and roll each one in the crumbs, coating evenly. Heat 1½ tsp of oil in a large non-stick frying pan. Add 2 chicken breasts and fry for 1½ mins (without moving them), over a medium-high heat – adjusting the heat if necessary, so that they don’t burn. Turn the chicken over, add another ¾ tsp of oil to cover the base of the pan, and fry for 1 min more. Using a fish slice, transfer the chicken to the wire rack, then wipe any crumbs from the pan and repeat with the rest of the oil and chicken. Bake the chicken in the oven (on the wire rack) for 15 mins until cooked and crisp. Warm the sauce through briefly, remove the chicken from the rack and slice each one into 5 pieces. Serve with the sauce, sticky rice and mixed leaves.

dhal 1

Red lentil & squash dhal

Put the oil and the onion in a saucepan, and cook for 5 mins. Stir in the garlic and cook for a further 1 min, then stir in the spices and butternut squash. Combine everything together. Tip in the chopped tomatoes, stock and chutney, and season well. Bring to the boil, then gently simmer for about 10 mins. Add the lentils and simmer for another 20 mins until the lentils and squash are tender. Stir in the coriander and serve with warmed naan bread.

Creamed corn & bacon

Creamed corn & bacon

Snip the bacon rashers into small pieces and fry in a large non-stick pan over a gentle heat until crisp. Remove from the pan and put to one side. Add the butter and onions to the pan and soften over a low heat. Tip in the corn and fry for a few mins more. Return the bacon with the cream and parsley, season well, and cook for a few more mins before serving.

maryland 2

Maryland chicken

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and sit the chicken in a small roasting tin. Mix all the spices with 2 tsp salt using a pestle and mortar – try to grind the oregano finely so that it doesn’t burn. Rub the spice mix over the chicken with some oil, and cover loosely with foil. Sit the potatoes in another tin, and put them in the oven together with the chicken. After 30 mins, remove the foil. Pierce the banana once in the skin with a knife and put alongside the potatoes, and roast with the chicken for another 30 mins. Check the potatoes are soft, then remove them and the banana from the oven. Leave the chicken to cook for a final 10 mins. Split the potatoes and banana, and scrape all the flesh into a saucepan. Add 1 tsp salt, half the butter and the milk, then mash together. Season. Check the chicken is cooked by piercing the inner thigh and ensuring the juices run clear. Lift to a serving platter and rest for 10 mins. To serve, spoon the mash into a dish, topped with knobs of remaining butter, and carve the chicken at the table. Serve with Creamed corn & bacon (recipe in ‘goes well with’, right).

ribs 0

Asian short ribs with herb salad

In a mini chopper, make a paste with the ginger, coriander stalks, onion and garlic, then set aside. Heat the oil in the pressure cooker pan and brown the meat well on all sides, then remove. Fry the paste for 2-3 mins with 1 tsp golden caster sugar. Return the ribs to the pan and add the soy sauce, star anise, oyster sauce and enough chicken stock to just cover the ribs. Bring to a simmer, cover and bring up to high pressure. Cook for 45 mins, then release the pressure slowly. Take off the lid, add a splash of vinegar and remove the ribs from the pan. Simmer the sauce down until reduced and intensely flavoured. While the sauce is simmering, mix the salad ingredients together. Serve each rib in a puddle of sauce, topped with a pile of salad and rice on the side.

duck ragu 2

Venetian duck ragu

Heat the oil in a large pan. Add the duck legs and brown on all sides for about 10 mins. Remove to a plate and set aside. Add the onions to the pan and cook for 5 mins until softened. Add the garlic and cook for a further 1 min, then stir in the cinnamon and flour and cook for a further min. Return the duck to the pan, add the wine, tomatoes, stock, herbs, sugar and seasoning. Bring to a simmer, then lower the heat, cover with a lid and cook for 2 hrs, stirring every now and then. Carefully lift the duck legs out of the sauce and place on a plate – they will be very tender so try not to lose any of the meat. Pull off and discard the fat, then shred the meat with 2 forks and discard the bones. Add the meat back to the sauce with the milk and simmer, uncovered, for a further 10-15 mins while you cook the pasta. Cook the pasta following pack instructions, then drain, reserving a cup of the pasta water, and add the pasta to the ragu. Stir to coat all the pasta in the sauce and cook for 1 min more, adding a splash of cooking liquid if it looks dry. Serve with grated Parmesan, if you like.

chorizo pie

Chicken & chorizo pie

Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole dish. Brown the chicken thighs in batches until golden, then transfer to a plate. Add the onions to the dish and cook for 5 mins until soft, then add the chorizo and cook for 2 mins more until the orangey oils are released into the pan. Stir in the flour for 1 min, then add the Sherry and bubble for 2 mins until most has evaporated. Return the chicken to the pan, add the stock, cover with a lid and simmer for 40 mins or until tender. Using a slotted spoon, scoop the chicken pieces out of the pan and transfer to a plate. Use 2 forks to shred the meat into chunky bite-sized pieces. Meanwhile, add the cream to the pan, increase the heat and bubble for 10-15 mins until the liquid has reduced to a white sauce consistency. Add seasoning (remembering that the chorizo can be quite salty) and return the chicken to the pan along with the parsley. Transfer to a pie dish (ours was 20cm x 25cm) and place a pie funnel or piping nozzle in the centre. Set aside to cool a little while you prepare the pastry. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to the thickness of a £1 coin. Brush a little beaten egg around the rim of the pie dish then, using your rolling pin to help, lift the pastry over the dish. Trim away any excess pastry, then pinch the edges with your forefingers and thumb to crimp. Brush with a thin layer of beaten egg. If you like, you can use your pastry offcuts to decorate the pie, then brush with beaten egg. Bake for 45 mins or until golden brown and the filling is piping hot. Serve with your favourite veg.

ginger noodles

Ginger noodles with chicken & hoisin aubergines

Heat a griddle pan. Rub 1 tsp of oil onto the chicken breasts and season. Griddle for around 4 mins on each side or until cooked through. Set aside. Toss the aubergine in the remaining oil and griddle for 5 mins on all sides, including the skin side, until tender. You may need to turn down the heat and keep turning the aubergine, as it will take some time to become totally soft. Brush with the hoisin sauce and cook for another 1-2 mins. Meanwhile, cook the noodles following pack instructions, adding the beansprouts for the last 30 secs of cooking. Drain thoroughly. Mix with the remaining ingredients, saving a handful of spring onions. Season and put on plates or in bowls. Lay the chicken and grilled aubergine on top. Scatter over the remaining spring onions and serve.

wedges

Sticky potato wedges with sesame & lemon

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the wedges in a single layer in a roasting tin. Whisk together the olive oil, oregano, garlic granules, lemon juice and stock. Pour the liquid over the potatoes, ensuring they are well coated. Season and bake for 1 hr, stirring every 15 mins so they don’t stick to the tin. Add the sesame seeds, increase the heat to 220C/200C fan/gas 7, and bake for a further 10 mins.

wedges

Spring chicken paella

Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Season the chicken thighs well and then dust all over with the flour. Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a paella pan or large, deep frying pan. Fry the thighs until golden brown all over, then transfer to a shallow roasting tin and finish in the oven for 30-40 mins. Add the remaining oil, onions and garlic, and fry very gently until soft, about 10-15 mins. Stir in the rice, paprika, saffron and lemon zest, then add the stock and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 20 mins on a medium heat until the rice is nearly cooked. Add the peas, broad beans and juice of 1 lemon until the rice is just cooked through, along with the veg. Stir through the herbs and as much of the remaining lemon juice as it needs, along with some seasoning. Tuck the chicken thighs back in and cover for 5 mins to let everything settle before serving.

rabbit pie

Mr McGregor’s rabbit pie

Toss the rabbit joints (or diced meat) with half the flour and some seasoning. Heat half the oil in a flameproof casserole dish and brown the meat on all sides. Lift out the meat, add the remaining oil, the leek and fennel seeds, and fry gently until softened. Stir in the remaining flour until it has disappeared. Add the cider and scrape up any stuck bits on the dish as it comes to the boil, then add the stock, return the meat to the dish, and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 40-45 mins until the rabbit is really tender and falling from the bone. Lift out the meat and, while you’re shredding it from the bones in big chunks (if you’ve used joints), boil down the cooking liquid to about a third. Stir the cream and mustard into the liquid, taste for seasoning, then stir the rabbit back in. Spoon into a small pie dish or baking dish. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Stick a thin strip of pastry around the edge of the dish. Slice the remaining pastry into 2.5cm-wide strips with a floured knife, then weave into a tight lattice. Lift up carefully, using a rolling pin to help you, then stick on with a little beaten egg. Trim the edges to finish. Brush the top with more egg and bake for 25 mins until golden. Meanwhile, bring a saucepan of salted water to the boil. Add the carrots for 2 mins, then the radishes for 2 mins, followed by the peas for 1 min. Drain. When the pie is done, melt the butter in a small frying pan. Add the drained veg with the sugar, turn up the heat and fry to caramelise a little. Serve immediately alongside the pie.

fried chicken

Polenta-crusted chicken with cornbread

If you have time, soak the chicken in the buttermilk (not regular milk) overnight. To make the cornbread, heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Grease 6 holes of a muffin tin, or a special cornbread tin if you have one. Tip the dry ingredients into a bowl and separately beat the eggs with the buttermilk or yogurt. Pour over the dry ingredients and beat together to make a batter. Divide the batter between the holes and bake for 20 mins until puffed up. Remove the tin from the oven and leave to cool. Put a rack in a roasting tin in the oven. Tip the polenta, flour and spices into a food bag with a generous pinch of salt and some pepper. Dip the chicken into the buttermilk, add a few pieces to the bag and shake to coat in the flour mixture, then place on a plate. Heat a decent puddle of oil in a large frying pan or wok and fry the chicken in batches until golden and crispy. When all the chicken has been fried, place it on the rack and bake for 30 mins until completely cooked through. Serve with the cornbread and some coleslaw.

chicken 8

Honey & cumin chicken and aubergine skewers with pistachio dukkah

Pre-soak wooden skewers in warm water for 20 mins. (You will need about 32 skewers and they must be able to fit inside a griddle pan or frying pan.) Meanwhile, mix the marinade ingredients and some seasoning in a large bowl, then tip half into another bowl. Add the chicken to 1 bowl and the aubergine to the other. (If you’re not catering for vegetarians, you can mix them together in one bowl.) Leave to marinate in the fridge for at least 20 mins, or up to 24 hrs. To make the dukkah, toast the sesame, cumin and coriander seeds in a dry pan until aromatic. Meanwhile, tip the pistachios into a small food processor and blitz until finely chopped, but still with some texture, then transfer to a bowl. Tip the toasted seeds and spices into the processor and blitz again until finely chopped, then add these to the pistachios, along with the paprika, black pepper and a good pinch of salt. Mix, then set aside until ready to serve. Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Thread the aubergine onto skewers, about 4-5 chunks per skewer, and place on 2 parchment-lined trays. Bake for 20-25 mins until tender and golden, turning the skewers and swapping the trays halfway through cooking. Meanwhile, heat a griddle pan or a frying pan (or use both to speed up the cooking) over a medium-high heat. Thread the chicken pieces onto the remaining skewers. Cook the chicken skewers in batches in the hot pan, turning regularly to prevent the honey burning. When nicely charred, but not cooked through, transfer to a baking tray. When all the chicken skewers are browned, drizzle them and the aubergine skewers with the remaining honey. Pop the chicken into the oven with the aubergine for the final 5-10 mins cooking, or until they are cooked through and sticky. Serve the skewers with a bowl of dukkah for dipping.

chicken 9 1

Chicken garden salad with elderflower dressing

Bring a medium pan of water to the boil and fill a large bowl with ice-cold water. Drop the asparagus into the pan. After 1 min, add the sugar snaps. After another 30 secs, tip in the peas. Cook for 30 secs more, then drain and tip the vegetables into the icy water – this will cool them quickly, helping to keep their bite and vibrant colour. After 1-2 mins, drain and set aside in the colander while you prepare the other ingredients. Dry your bowl, pour in the dressing ingredients with plenty of seasoning and whisk together. Add the chicken, radishes, onion, cooled and drained vegetables, and the lettuce, and gently toss everything together until well coated in the dressing – the easiest way is to use your hands. Pile the salad onto a large platter and scatter over the pea shoots, if using. Serve straight away.

pilaf 2

Broad bean & dill pilaf

Rinse the rice until the water runs clear, then soak in warm water for 5 mins and drain well. Heat the butter in a saucepan and add the onion and garlic. Sizzle everything for 8-10 mins until softened, but not coloured. Stir though the rice and pour over the stock. Cover, bring to the boil, then turn down heat to a minimum and cook the rice very slowly for 10 mins. Lift the lid, and quickly scatter over the podded beans, then replace the lid. Turn up the heat and simmer for 5 mins until all the liquid is absorbed. Add the dill, give the rice a good stir and serve with extra butter melting through.

chicken 10

Spicy chicken with rice & beans

Cut 2-3 slashes in each chicken thigh, sprinkle the spices over and turn to coat. If you have time, cover and leave to marinate at room temperature for 2 hrs, or overnight in the fridge. Heat half the oil in a large pan. Add the onion and cook for 4 mins. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 secs more. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add the remaining oil to the pan and sprinkle over the sugar. Cook over a medium heat until the sugar begins to caramelise. When it turns dark brown, add the chicken and cook for 4 mins, turning. Pour in the passata, stock and vinegar, then add the pepper, onion and garlic. Season and stir. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 25 mins, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, put the rice in a saucepan, cover with water and add salt. Bring to the boil and cook for 10-12 mins. Drain and return half to the pan with half the kidney beans, then cover. (Run the other half of the rice under cold water, drain and leave until cold, then mix with the remaining kidney beans. Chill in a container for Thursday’s recipe.). Serve the chicken with the rice and beans, and spoonfuls of natural yogurt.

tagine 1

Lamb, apricot & shallot tagine

Slash the lamb leg all over and put in a big food bag, or in a large casserole dish. Smash the marinade ingredients together using a pestle and mortar. Add some black pepper and rub all over the lamb. Marinate overnight, or up to 24 hrs. Heat oven to 140C/120C fan/gas 1. Sit the lamb in a big roasting tin, scraping off any leftover marinade on the top. Cover the tin with foil, pinching the edges to seal. Cook for 6-7 hrs, basting every hour or so, until the meat is incredibly tender. Remove the roasting tin from the oven and increase oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Pour the juices from the lamb into a measuring jug, cool slightly and skim off the fat. Put the shallots in the tin with the lamb and toss to coat in some of the juices. Roast for 15 mins, then add the apricots and almonds. Whisk the cooking juices with the lemon, ras el hanout, honey and stock, then pour over the lamb and roast for another 20 mins. Rest for 10 mins, then scatter over the herbs and serve with couscous and yogurt.

chicken 12 1

Amatriciana chicken traybake

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Find a large roasting tin that will hold the chicken thighs and potatoes in a single layer. Halve the chilli, scrape out and discard the seeds if you don’t like it too hot, and remove the stalk. Put in a small food processor or mini chopper with the tomato purée, olive oil and garlic. Whizz to a paste, then spread over the chicken. Add the chicken and potatoes to the tin with a good grinding of black pepper and some salt, then mix everything together well with your hands. Add the thyme and roast for 30 mins. Stir in the pancetta and roast for 15 mins more, then add the tomatoes and roast for another 15 mins until the tomatoes have softened and the chicken is cooked. Serve straight from the pan and eat with a green salad and some bread, if you like, for mopping up the juices.

roast chicken

Lemon & garlic roast chicken with charred broccoli & sweet potato mash

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and put the chicken in a large non-stick roasting tin. Halve 1 garlic clove and rub it over the chicken. Drizzle with oil, rub in with your fingers, then stuff the cavity with the thyme, 1 lemon half and the garlic you just used. Cut the other lemon half into quarters and scatter around the chicken with the other garlic clove, halved. Cover the tin with foil and bake for 40 mins, then remove the foil and spoon over the hot juices. Arrange the broccoli around the chicken, turning well in the juices, and return the tin to the oven for another 20-30 mins. To check that it is cooked through, pierce between the leg and thigh – if the juices run clear, the chicken is ready. Re-cover with foil and set aside while you prepare the sweet potatoes. Put the sweet potatoes in a pan of boiling water, return to the boil, then simmer for 7-10 mins until tender. Drain well, then mash. Set aside 100g of sweet potato mash if using for Chicken wrap with sticky sweet potato, see ‘goes well with’, then add the cream cheese to the rest and stir well. Remove the broccoli from the roasting tin and divide between 2 plates. Put the chicken on a serving plate, discard the lemon and garlic from the tin and remove as much of the fat from the juices as possible. Pour the remaining juices into a serving jug. Carve the chicken and serve about 100g (1-2 slices) per person (keep the rest of the chicken for Chicken wrap with sticky sweet potato if making, see ‘goes well with’). Serve with the broccoli and mashed sweet potatoes, and a drizzle of the lemony-garlic juices on top.

chicken wrap

Chicken wrap with sticky sweet potato, salad leaves & tomatoes

Mash last night’s sweet potato so that it’s very smooth, then divide the mixture thinly and evenly between the wraps. Divide the chicken, salad leaves and tomatoes between each wrap. Fold the wrap and roll up, making sure that you contain the filling. Eat straight away or wrap in baking parchment and string (or foil) for later.

cajun chicken

Cajun grilled chicken with lime black-eyed bean salad & guacamole

Mix together the oil, herbs, spices and garlic in a large sealable bag. Put the chicken breasts in the bag and mix thoroughly to cover. Bash the chicken with a rolling pin to flatten it a little, then set aside to marinate for at least 15 mins. In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients for the bean salad. Stir well and set aside. For the guacamole, scoop the flesh from the avocado and put it in a medium bowl, chopping it roughly with the side of the spoon. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. If you prefer your guacamole to be smoother, mash the avocado well with the olive oil and lime juice until it’s at your preferred consistency before stirring in the other ingredients. Heat the grill. Line a grill pan with foil, place the chicken breasts on it and grill for 5 mins, checking occasionally. Once golden brown, turn and grill for a further 5-7 mins. Check the middle of the breasts after 5 mins and, if cooked through, remove from the heat. Set aside 2 chicken breasts and 2 tbsp guacamole for Open rye sandwich (see ‘goes well with’, right). Place 1 warm chicken breast on each plate, with some bean salad and a dollop of guacamole on the side.

open chicken sandwich

Open rye sandwich with chicken & avocado

Divide guacamole between rye bread, spreading it evenly. Arrange 4 slices of tomato on each sandwich, and top with a sliced Cajun grilled chicken breast (see ‘goes well with’). Finish with lime juice and some ground black pepper.

open chicken sandwich

Lemony chicken skewers, herbed new potatoes & apple coleslaw

If you are using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 10 mins. Heat the grill to high and place a non-stick baking tray beneath it. In a large bowl, mix the marinade ingredients, then add the chicken, turning it to ensure it is thoroughly coated. Cover and set aside. Put the potatoes in a large pan of boiling water and cook until a fork easily pierces them – about 12 mins. Meanwhile, mix the oil and herbs in a small bowl. While the potatoes are cooking, make the dressing for the coleslaw. Mix together the crème fraiche, mustard and lemon in a large bowl. Add all the vegetables and the apple, and stir well. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pan. Pour the herb mixture over them, stir gently to mix, cover to keep warm and set aside. Finally, divide the chicken between 4 skewers and place on the hot baking tray, spooning excess marinade over the chicken. Put the tray under the grill and cook for 6-8 mins, turning the skewers every 2 mins or so to ensure even cooking. Cut open a piece of chicken to ensure it’s cooked through. Serve with the potatoes and coleslaw, reserving half the coleslaw for Smoked mackerel platter (see ‘goes well with’).

mackerel platter

Smoked mackerel pâté platter

In a bowl, roughly mash the mackerel and add the yogurt, lemon juice and some black pepper. Mash again until you have a chunky pâté. Put it in a bowl, ready to serve. Arrange the other ingredients on a large serving platter, with the mackerel pâté alongside, and tuck in.

anise chicken

Star anise roast chicken

Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Put the chicken in a large roasting tin, then put a few onion slices, garlic cloves, a small piece of the ginger and 1 star anise inside the chicken. Brush chicken all over with the sesame oil. Pour over the stock, then scatter all of the remaining veg into the tin. Grate the rest of the ginger and garlic over the chicken and veg, and add the remaining star anise to the stock. Cover the chicken with foil and roast for 1 hr. Remove the foil twice to baste the chicken with the liquid. Mix the soy and sugar together. Remove the foil and pour over the soy mixture, then return to the oven for 15-20 mins. Meanwhile, put the potatoes in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to the boil, cover with a lid and cook for 10 mins. Set aside and keep warm. When the chicken is cooked through – the juices should run clear when a sharp knife is inserted into the thickest part of the thigh – remove from the tin and rest on a plate covered with foil. Pour a ladleful of the juices from the tin into a saucepan and bring to the boil. Mix the cornflour with 2 tbsp cold water and add to the pan. Heat, stirring continuously, until thickened. Strain the gravy into a jug. Stir and press the onions to squeeze out any extra juices. Drain the potatoes and mash with the olive oil. Serve half the chicken with the veg and half the gravy. Save the rest for Chicken, vegetable & noodle soup (see ‘goes well right’, right)

pizza 4

Smoking chilli chicken & sweetcorn pizza

Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Mix the barbecue and chipotle sauce in a bowl. Place the pizza bases on 2 large baking trays and spread over the sauce. Scatter the mozzarella over the pizzas, then top with the sweetcorn, peppers and chicken. Bake for 20 mins, swapping the trays over halfway through cooking, until the cheese has melted and the pizza is piping hot. Scatter with the coriander and the green chillies, if you like it extra spicy.

fetacrudites 0969

Feta pâté platter

In a bowl, roughly mash the feta and olives with the yogurt, lemon juice and some black pepper to form a thick paste. Stir in 1 tbsp finely chopped mint. Arrange the other ingredients on a large serving platter, with the feta mix along side, and tuck in.

noodles 3

Chicken, vegetable & noodle soup

Put the kettle on. Chop the leftover chicken into small pieces. Put the gravy in a jug and make up to 1 litre with boiling water from the kettle. Pour into a saucepan and bring to the boil. Add the noodles, vegetable stir-fry, spring onions, chilli and chicken. Simmer rapidly for 5 mins until the noodles are tender, then serve with crusty bread.

cajun

Cajun chicken & pineapple burger

Heat the grill to medium-high and line a baking tray with foil. Place the chicken between 2 sheets of cling film and bash to an even thickness using a rolling pin. Rub the Cajun spice mix, the oil and some seasoning all over the chicken, then put them on the baking tray. Grill for 10 mins, turning halfway through. Top each chicken breast with a pineapple ring and some grated cheese, then return to the grill and cook for a further 2-3 mins until the cheese is golden and bubbling, and the chicken is cooked through. Spread a little soured cream over the base of each bun, then add lettuce, a chicken breast, sliced red onion, and pop the top on.

pea soup

Pea & mint soup with crispy prosciutto strips

Put the leeks, potato and stock in a pan and bring to the boil. Cover and simmer for 8 mins. Tip in the peas, cover and cook for 5 mins more. Take off the heat and blitz with a hand blender (or in a food processor) until smooth, then stir in the yogurt and mint. Meanwhile, lay the slices of prosciutto in a large non-stick frying pan in a single layer and heat until crisp. Allow to cool a little, then tear into strips, ready to sprinkle over the soup with some ground black pepper. Will keep in the fridge for 2 days.

chicken 13 1

Frango churrasco (Grilled lemon & garlic chicken)

Place the chicken in a shallow, non-metallic dish and cover with all the other ingredients and mix everything together. Cover and chill for at least 2 hrs, or overnight if possible. Bring to room temperature 1 hr before grilling. Thread half the thighs onto 2 large metal skewers, or wooden ones soaked in water for 10 mins. Repeat with the remaining thighs and another 2 skewers. Heat an outdoor barbecue until very hot, or use an oven grill. Place on the grill for 6 mins on one side, then turn over and cook for 4 mins. Cook for a few mins more on each side if they are large – keep the heat on medium so they don’t burn. Remove and keep warm under foil.